Aqara Launches Camera Hub G5 Pro

[mazz0]

A built-in neural processing unit allows for on-device AI object detection and sound detection, so the camera is able to analyze footage and alert homeowners of potential threats like an individual lingering or a stolen package, plus it can send alerts when the lens is obstructed and packages are detected

I'm not sure that's the right way to dot it.

Part of me thinks it'd be better for sensors to be dumb, and just feed data to a central hub made by a proper software company which will handle processing. Such a hub will usually receive updates longer, will be better supported, more performant and will just have better software. The more features get built in to individual devices by multiple manufacturers like this, the worse they work in my experience.

That's historically been the case anyway. The obvious example is the OS built in to TVs compared to AppleTV, but it's the same for software provided by pretty much any peripheral manufacturer.

The counter argument is the Hue app compared to the Home app. Hue is much more reliable (but then, it does try to do a lot less).

I'm conflicted. This feels like the wrong approach though.

 

[Itinj24]

So is that 2 lenses or 1? looks like it's just meant to copy an iPhone pro look.

It’s just one lens. The other two are a PIR motion detector and a spotlight.

 

[NewOldStock]

Is there a testing website of these remote cameras that show absolute security of the user?
I have never heard of these brands and thousands of others.
If not someone can make $$$ website showing users are safe from network gaffs.
Guns and Dogs works for me.

 

[afraidOfCCP]

Another camera from China, beware. I purchased some Eufy cameras then I realized YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE LIVE FEED TO THEIR CHINESE SERVERS (unless you cut off the power). True, with HomeKit, you can set it so that you can set it so that it doesn't stream (or record) video when you are home, etc. but the VIDEO FEED STILL GOES TO CHINA (I checked and asked their tech support if there was a way to disable it, they said no).

Considering that all Chinese companies are required BY LAW to give any data to the government upon request, no court order required, I am trying to find a non-Chinese replacement. I'm not a political figure or hold any sort of important role but still I don't like being literally monitored day and night by a police state.

 

[redmac]

But it is still connected to the open-internet, so how does HomeKit block sharing ANY data with the home country’s server? I suppose you’d have to watch your outgoing connections on your network to really know with certainty, right?

From chatGPT, about HomeKit Secure Video:

Limited Manufacturer Access:

Because all recordings are encrypted before leaving the camera, camera manufacturers cannot view or collect footage.

Some cameras may still send diagnostic data (e.g., connection status) to the manufacturer, but video itself remains private.

Can HomeKit Secure Video Prevent Manufacturers from Collecting Footage?

Yes, if the camera is configured to use only HomeKit Secure Video and does not rely on the manufacturer’s app or cloud services. However:

If you enable third-party cloud storage (e.g., the manufacturer’s cloud service), your footage may also be sent to their servers.

Some cameras may have optional features that require an internet connection (e.g., firmware updates, AI-based detection), which could allow some data to be transmitted.

 

[profets]

I'll be curious how these compare to the Logitech circle view outdoor cameras.

POE is a very cool feature.

I have a handful of the Logitech circle view outdoor cameras around the house. And while for the most part they work well, they do drop out here and there, take a few seconds to load, etc. Reviews on this Aqara look so much better (I'm quite sure it's because of the ethernet connection instead of wifi). Very tempting. Hopefully we so more over time.

 

[profets]

Not thrilled with the idea of attaching a (Aqara) Lumi United Technology Co., Ltd camera to my Wi-Fi. Does anyone know if HomeKit Secure Video excludes connections to the manufacturer’s servers? I suppose if I knew it wasn’t sharing ANY data with Lumi, I would consider it.

You can set up Aqara cameras to only work with homekit.

You loose a couple features, but overall to answer your question, yes.

But it is still connected to the open-internet, so how does HomeKit block sharing ANY data with the home country’s server? I suppose you’d have to watch your outgoing connections on your network to really know with certainty, right?

Another camera from China, beware. I purchased some Eufy cameras then I realized YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE LIVE FEED TO THEIR CHINESE SERVERS (unless you cut off the power). True, with HomeKit, you can set it so that you can set it so that it doesn't stream (or record) video when you are home, etc. but the VIDEO FEED STILL GOES TO CHINA (I checked and asked their tech support if there was a way to disable it, they said no).

Considering that all Chinese companies are required BY LAW to give any data to the government upon request, no court order required, I am trying to find a non-Chinese replacement. I'm not a political figure or hold any sort of important role but still I don't like being literally monitored day and night by a police state.

What about using HomeKit Accessory Security? I've done that with most of the devices I have connected with homeKit. Have them set to "Restrict to Home" "No access to the internet or the local network except for the connections required by HomeKit to discover and control the accessory from the local network (including from the home hub to support remote control)."

 

[Neil Harrison]

Thats going to be hard to do. Ubiquity has been on a role lately. Love their cameras but they are pricey.

Yeah but quality is so good

 

[Graphate]

From chatGPT, about HomeKit Secure Video:

[…]

Some cameras may still send diagnostic data (e.g., connection status) to the manufacturer, but video itself remains private.

[…]

Some cameras may have optional features that require an internet connection […] which could allow some data to be transmitted.

Interesting choice of sourcing… not sure I believe it one way or the other without documentation, but let’s assume that’s true: Then that’s the exact concern, sharing data, of any type, diagnostics or not, contains quite a lot of information I’d rather not share with just anyone.